Katelyn

How long have I been running? I don’t remember. However, I can’t stop now. I have to keep going. I have to get as far away from there as possible.

My paws pound on the forest floor as I dash around a tree and over a fallen log. With each step, my legs cramp a little more, but I can’t pay attention to it now. I have to get away.

With sheer determination in my eyes, I focus my attention on the terrain ahead. My escape almost came to a crashing halt a few minutes ago when I took my eyes off the path ahead and I almost slammed into a tree trunk. Good thing my wolf has good reflexes.

I still can’t believe that I could be this stupid. What was I thinking?

Oh, yeah. I hoped when my mate turned 18 and could finally sense my presence, so he would love me and claim me. What a joke?

I’ve known since my 18th birthday, which has been two years now, that the one person I’ve hated for these last few years is my mate. However, being the coward I am, I didn’t tell him. Well, it didn’t help that he would continuously tease and belittle me.

Plus, I didn’t have enough courage to walk up to the alpha’s son and announce he was my mate. Everyone would have laughed at me, so I kept my mouth shut.

However, I never would have expected what happened a few days ago. My heart aches just thinking about it. No. I have to forget. I have to move on.

My wolf whines. Even though my mate didn’t mark me, my wolf already knows who our true mate is and still wants him. However, that will never happen now.

Ugh… I have to keep going.

As I dash over a crest of a hill, my eyes suddenly lock onto the glow through the trees on the horizon. Yes. I have finally made it to a big city. They should have a bus station there and I can go as far as the bus will take me. Now, I just have to blend in with the humans and not be discovered. I can do this.

I suddenly have a spring in my step, and with a renewed energy, I bolt ahead. I should be able to make it to town before morning. All I need to do is to find something to eat and a place to clean up. Then I will start my new life.

***

I settle down into the back seat on the bus. For the first time in the last two years, I finally have hope. My heart still aches, and my wolf still wants to go back to our pack, but I know that isn’t possible now. However, I’m sure my father is looking for me, and that is why I have to get as far away from my pack as possible.

I’m positive my father has tried to contact other packs, but I can’t have them find out my real name. From now on, Katelyn is gone. She died the moment I left my pack.

The only person left is the new one that I have created. Welcome to my new life, Brenda.

I sigh as I turn my head and look out the window. There are so many uncertainties about the future, but I can’t let that control my life. For once, I need to live for myself. Not for my parents. Not for my mate. Not for the family name. No. I will only live for myself now.

I hope the Moon Goddess is on my side now. If she is, she will guide me to the place I need to be and to a place where I can heal. Someday, I will be 100% again. Only then I will be able to come out of hiding, but not before.

I don’t even know if there are werewolves where I’m going. My father has never talked about this area before. Well, it is rather far from my pack, but my pack has never dealt with any werewolf packs in this area. So, I can only assume that there isn’t any out this direction, which is why I’m heading there. From now on, I will live as a human.

I have gone to college for a couple of years. However, now, I won’t be going back, which surprisingly, I’m fine with that. Well, I’m sure the fact that my mate is starting there this next semester is helping with me not wanting to go there.

Ugh… I have to stop thinking about him.

As the bus begins to move and head down the road, I continue to watch the scenery as it slowly begins to blur past, and for the first time in my life, I think about what I want to do with my life. I have nothing holding me back now.

First thing is I have to get a job, and then I might think about going back to college. Is there even a college around this area? I’m sure there is. I will look into it when I get there.

As I continue to think about the possibilities, my eyelids slowly close and sleep quickly consumes me.

***

“Hey. Miss. You need to wake up. We are at the end of the line.”

What? Someone nudges my shoulder as my eyes slowly flicker open. Oh, my body is stiff. How long have I been sleeping?

SHIT!! Did I miss my stop?

I whip my head up and look at the bus driver. “Where are we? I was supposed to get off….”